Beginning of Our Journey in June
Perhaps I have over-booked on this trip. Perhaps we are covering too many miles.
"Heck no," I say. "We just have to pace ourselves....rest...don't plan so much each day."
My husband and I are journeying now, June 2025, to points far into the Northwest, including British Columbia. We have traveled in a recreational vehicle every summer to the Northwest where we each have family. We did not meet in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, but that is our destination annually. It is coincidental, both of us from CdA meeting in Palomas, Mexico. Another story, another blog.
As I type, we are in the fairly new fairgrounds rv park, Coeur d' Alene. Hubby is having breakfast with his son. I am reeeeeeee-laxing this cool morning as my daughter works half of the day.
The journey to this point has been a bit stressful but we are able now to decompress. I have driven many miles. I choose to be the primary driver.
The trip began in Hunt, Tx. with Night #1 at Inks Lake State Park, a wonderful park where we have been several times. It was about an hour to my daughter's home near Austin where we had been invited to spend Memorial Day. The next morning we traveled to another favorite state park in Arkansas, Queen Wilhelmina. It is the second highest point in Arkansas, atop Rich Mountain. https://www.https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/queen-wilhelmina-state-park A repeat visit for us, but we ate in the lodge for the first time this visit. It was a very delicious evening meal made special as the couple at the next table was extraordinarily generous. The waitress spoke after they left, "They paid for your meal." We must pay it forward soon, don't you think?
Day #3 already! We traverse Hwy 65 north to Sedalia, Missouri, birthplace of Scott Joplin. An annual ragtime festival is held on the last weekend of May with the best of the best performers on piano and various instruments. https://www.scottjoplin.org/ragtime-festival-performers. As a pianist, I play ragtime music daily and am always motivated following my attendance at this festival. In addition to the amazing pianists, I found a favorite band, the Lovestruck Balladeers. Their CDs were sold out. Believe it or not, they have created a 78 rpm record, but alas, no record player in my possession. How nostalgic would that be!
Three days of pure ragtime on venues and stages throughout downtown Sedalia. Parking is easy, the crowds are minimal, ragtime enthusiasts are primarily older folks like us although it is always rewarding to hear a younger person tickle the ivories. We left with smiles and Joan saying, "I am going to the San Antonio ragtime meeting when we get back to Texas. This is definitely my delight!"
It's June 1st and we leave Sedalia saturated with good vibes and head north to Iowa where Joan was raised. The Missouri greens are lush out the truck windows towing our 22' Winnebago Micro Mini travel trailer.
Life is good at 70 miles per hour.
(to be continued)
joanconnor 06/06/25
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